4 from Odisha killed as car plunges into roadside well in Chhattisgarh

The victims had gone to join a marriage function at Kanker

By Ramesh Agrawal

BHUBANESWAR, DEC. 12: The mysterious disappearance of four persons from Odisha which initially appeared to be a kidnapping case turned out to be a heart-rending road accident. The fatal accident claimed the lives of four persons, including three members of a family and a neighbour.

The car in which the four persons were travelling in was found in an abandoned well by the side of Kondagaon road in Chhattisgarh on Monday.

The deceased were identified as Sapan Sarkar, his wife Itishree, brother-in-law Biswajit and neighbour Hajari Dhali of Raighar area in Nabarangpur. Sapan worked as the supervisor of Raighar tehsil.

According to the family members of the victims, the four had gone to Kanker in Chhattisgarh to attend a marriage function. On their way home on Saturday night, they had decided to stay at Biswajit’s native place in Kondagaon.  However, after 10 pm, they couldn’t be contacted over their mobile phones.

It was perhaps around that time when their car might have plunged into the roadside well. Back home, family members apprehended that they might have been kidnapped as the area they were to pass through is notorious for Maoist activities.

On the basis of their missing complaint, the Kanker police had launched an investigation.  The police zeroed in on the accident spot following mobile tracking of the victims.

On Monday, the police team with rescuers reached the spot and after hours of intense efforts salvaged the vehicle.

While it is yet to be ascertained whether it is an accident or something else, people blamed the authorities for leaving a well by the side of the highway uncovered.